Earlier in Summer Julia Lopez MP met virtually with the Transport for London (TfL) Team responsible for the project to replace Gallows Corner flyover. During the meeting, they updated Julia on the current development of the project’s proposals and the business case required to be submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) in order to access funds to complete the works.
As we reported, TfL have confirmed that the business case will be submitted in Spring 2022. Whilst TfL had considered implementing a Y-shaped flyover, providing direct A12-A12 connections alongside the existing A12-A127, this option has been discounted as it cannot fit within the existing area of the junction. TfL have therefore determined that a replacement flyover, which will allow for the retention of the roundabout, is the most viable option. They will be submitting their full business case to the Department for Transport to unlock the funding that Julia secured from the DfT in 2018 on this basis.
In the meantime the flyover will be subjected to an enhanced inspection and maintenance regime to ensure it’s continued operation.
A copy of TfL’s update on this topic is provided below:
Dear Julia,
Thank you for taking the time to meet with us on 16 July to discuss the Gallows Corner flyover scheme, including our preferred option and timeline. Please accept my apologies for the delay in sending this update.
As discussed during the meeting, the Department for Transport (DfT) approached TfL in 2018 to advise that funding of up to £50 million from the Major Roads Network (MRN) programme was available towards the replacement of the Gallows Corner flyover, and in order to secure funds TfL is required to submit a full business case with supporting information.
We fully understand the importance of this location, and as such we have thoroughly investigated multiple design options to replace the flyover. This work has identified significant challenges, specifically with the Y-Shape option, which cannot be accommodated within the available land constraints whilst also retaining the surface level roundabout.
As such, we now consider an asset enhancement option to replace the flyover which will operate safely, is more affordable and within the highway limits to maintain the roundabout as the most appropriate option. TfL will continue to develop this asset enhancement design and plans to submit the next stage of the business case application to the DfT in Spring 2022. This option will provide resilience to the network and enable the flyover to be upgraded well before any potential failure. In the meantime, TfL is operating an enhanced asset inspection and maintenance regime of the existing flyover.
I would also like to take this opportunity to note that the Gallows Corner scheme currently has development funding until December 2021, in line with TfL’s overall funding agreement with central government. Our goal now is to work with Government to secure longer-term capital investment that will allow us to deliver asset renewal projects with certainty. It is therefore critical that a further long term agreement is negotiated to enable the scheme to continue development and for TfL to contribute to the construction of the new flyover in the future. As we confirmed in the meeting, Gallows Corner flyover scheme remains a priority for TfL.
We will continue to work with yourself and other local stakeholders during the remainder of the design and assessment stages and through to construction to ensure we deliver the most appropriate and cost-effective solution that satisfies the needs of all road users at this location.
I hope you find this information useful, and if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Best wishes,
Government Relations Adviser
